Seoul says North Korea carried out missile tests

North Korea has fired four ballistic missiles into the sea off Japan’s northwest coast, South Korean and Japanese officials said, days after the reclusive state promised retailiation over US-South Korea military drills it sees as a preparation for war.

Seoul said four missiles were fired from North Pyongan province into the East Sea on Monday and that South Koreaand the United States were “closely analysing” tracking data for further details.

Seoul and Washington began annual joint military exercises last week – something North Korea has long condemned as a deliberate provocation.

“These missile tests are creeping closer to Japan and we assume North Korea can hit most of South Korea,” Robert Kelly, professor of political science and diplomacy at Pusan National University, told Al Jazeera.

“Bombing North Korea can be hugely dangerous because it can easily hit the South Korean capital. Missile shields are probably the best defence for the future.”

Pyongyang carried out two atomic tests last year and a series of missile launches, but Monday was only the second time its devices entered Japan’s EEZ.